By Amy Batista, Special Writer
MONROE — Fifth grade students at Oak Tree Elementary School portrayed famous people as part of a Living History Museum April 20.
The students took the parts of famous people from either the past or present in the gym at the school and presented them to students, teachers and family members.
”In social studies, the students learn about many important figures from the past,” said Lauren Thaiss, fifth grade teacher. “The museum allows those figures to come to life, as well as prominent people who are currently living. Our diverse community is made up of many cultures and backgrounds and this also allows students to relate to someone famous who may be from the same culture.”
Students, parents and visitors filled the Oak Tree gym as they moved from student to student, learning something new along the way.
”I think it was phenomenal,” said parent Lynne Olynyk of Monroe. “The kids worked very hard. They all did such a good job writing their presentations, memorizing their presentations, and putting so much effort into their costumes and taking pride in what they are representing.”
Parents said their children were very involved in learning about the people they portrayed.
”I thought it was a phenomenal experience for them,” said parent Michele Cioffi, “My son was very interested in whom he learned and it also inspired him to learn about other people that his friends were doing.”
Ms. Cioffi said her son portrayed Edwin Hubble, and she noted that he loves the telescope so it was a wonderful pairing for him.
Five classes and about 128 students participated in the fourth annual Living History Museum, according to the teachers.
Each student was assigned a famous figure either from the past or present, dressed as that person, and when visitors stop by and stepped on their button on the floor they presented a short speech about the person’s life and accomplishments.
”It was really fun,” said fifth grader Isabella Zieliaski of Monroe who was portraying television newswoman Barbara Walters. “It was nice that kids were taking an interest in what we are doing.”
Isabella noted that she really didn’t know anything about Barbara Walters when she started but learned that she was on The View and 20/20 which were popular shows.
”They are doing spectacular this year,” said Nancy Poland, a fifth grade teacher as she walked around the gym and listened to the students’ presentations. “They really worked hard. They studied the people that they are presenting.”
The Living History Museum included well-known and not-so-well-known people.
Students portrayed historical figures including; Abraham Lincoln, Betsy Ross, Barbara Bush, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Victoria Woodhull, Sojourner Truth (an African-American abolitionist and women’s rights activist), Lance Armstrong, Pocahontas, Barbara Walters, Albert Einstein, Lewis and Clark, Elvis Presley, Louis Braille, Walt Disney and many more.
Each teacher selected a group of famous people from a list of authors, artists, inventors, scientists, naturalists, government officials, politicians, abolitionists, civil rights leaders, humanitarians, athletes, entertainers, and trailblazers. Each teacher then used a method of random selection to assign each student.
”This allowed for fairness and did not cause any duplicates of performances,” Ms. Thaiss said.
Fifth grader Isabella Baumfree was one of the students who said they were nervous at the beginning of the presentations, but that all changed as the time went on.
”I’m not so nervous now,” Isabella, who portrayed Sojourner Truth, said when asked later on in the event if she was still nervous. “I learned that she was a writer and helped to stop slavery.”
Tone Nanna, who portrayed Hilary Rodham Clinton, attracted large crowds of people to her presentation, something her famous figure is known for.
”I went on the Internet to search for some stuff and went to the library,” said fifth grader Toni. “I learned that she never gives up and that she is really hard working.”
When asked about parent reactions to her presentation, Toni said they respond, “Good job.”
”I’m truly amazed at all the kids,” said parent Michelle Nanna. “I’ve seen them as their normal selves and I’m here and they are totally transformed.”
”I’m impressed,” said parent Tuoyo Nanna. “I didn’t know what to expect.”
And what’s a Living History Museum without the “King,” Elvis Presley, who was portrayed by Rayan Yousafzai.
”It was great and exciting,” said fifth grader Rayan of Monroe. “I didn’t know that he served in the Army and I also didn’t know that he has been in over a 1,000 concerts.”
”I think it’s a great way to learn history in a fun environment with all the people that presented such as musicians, leaders, men and women,” said parent Arnaz Yousafzai of Monroe.
”Our main goal is to allow the students to truly connect to history in a fun and interesting way,” Ms. Thaiss said.
